In honolulu, the average of temperature has increased 4.4°F over the last century and also precipitation has decreased 20% over the last 90 years.
In honolulu, sea level already is rising about 6~14 inches per century. Also It will rise more about 17~25 inches by 2100 years.
Hawaii island contains the most beautiful beaches in the world. Hawaii sand beaches has some rich coral reefs so that it protective from the erosion. However, since the ocean is getting warmer, Hawaii government has to spend money about $240 million to $6 billion for protecting coral reefs and sea level rise.
Hawaii has 25% of U.S endangered species including 2 mammals and 30 valuable birds.
(CC) By Wikipedia, Recent Sea Level Rise
According to the my research on the website and books, Hawaii already has happened climate change in some areas. Indeed, it will be become more complex problem. The root of problem for the climate change is that overpopulation and sustainable economic development. In the beginning of 1900's, Hawaii had became one of the state in the U.S. After that Hawaii had to establish the new program and new government. Since then, the state of Hawaii adapted the new immigrant from the Asian countries and South America. Recently, Hawaii has ranked 42nd population in the America.
As we may know, tourism is most fundamental industry in the Hawaii. Also it has affected a significant consequences in the environment. For example, the middle of 1900's, there was only a few tallest building in the Hawaii. But Hawaii needs more highest building for demanding of tourists and reflecting of one of the world famous city by built a tallest building. To build a new building, people had to cut down the trees or burning for making of basement building area.
2) Making connection between Architecture, Economy and Environment
(CC) By Jong Ha Jung, the diagram between Architecture, Economy and Environment
The Hawaiian economy should be more diversified than now. Lack of diversity is the single greatest weakness in Hawaii economy. Hawaii main income is coming from only 3 industries military, agriculture and tourism. The Hawaii's future economy will be almost exclusively exporting skills and know-how to Pacific and world market. Indeed, a number of things including more diverse agricultural products, jewelry making, increased fishing and sport fishing.
Hawaiian people mostly concerns about the lack of knowledge on environment. Many of those unique species will become extinct and many of Hawaii's natural resources are facing extinction too. Global environmental change may result in an increased in the value of Hawaii's environmental resources.
As you can read on my possible resources list, "The Bilbao Effect" is one of the great example for the connection between Architecture, Economy and Environment. The reason is that one great building can create plenty of benefit for the resident people and nation. For example, the city of Bilbao in Northern Spain was small industry city before. However, since Guggenheim museum completed
(CC) By wikipedia, Guggenheim museum in Bilbao city Spain
by 1997, the small city was totally changed to the one of famous destination in the Europe. The Guggenheim museum shows that building is a not just house or office, it's an art. The Bilbao estimates that economic impact on the local economy was worth approximately $147 million of the last year. This represents the equivalent of 4,415 jobs. In addition to, 7.8 million spent inside the museum, visitors spent much larger money that in the city. Indeed, the Guggenheim museum makes recovering the ecosystem in the Bilbao city. Through the museum, Bilbao city could achieve not only goal of economy aspects but also cleaned the air and a lot of natural unique species have been appearing again.
Hawaii government should learn from "The Bilbao Effect". Because, through the one great building, Hawaii will be attained sustainable economic development, going to environmental friendly and finally one permanent tourist attraction in the world. As we may know, tourism is essential industry in the Hawaii, we have to think about creating the new attraction. I think that Hawaiian people could not survived by only one beautiful beach in the world which is Waikiki beach. Hawaii government should consider that creating the new attraction for the hidden tourists in the world.
(CC)BY WIKIPEDIA, Solar panels are used in passive and solar hot water system.
Part 2. Alternative Way of Architecture.
1) Green Building.
By 1960, in the architect urban area, architect had stopped to use concrete temporary. Because of, they recognized that buildings are the leader of destroyer of the environment. In respond to growing awareness of the building environment's effect on the natural environment, architects and construct engineers are increasingly looking for an alternative method of design and construction. It's called "Green Building". The meaning of green building is creating structure that are more efficient in their consumption of energy, water and less wasteful. Green building use an average of 36 percent less energy than conventional buildings. Green buildings dramatically increase health and productivity. Therefore, people in green building have 40~60 percent fewer incidents of colds, flu, and asthma. Also, according to the one green architecture study, kids in green schools increase the test scores by as much as 18 percent.
If you just look at green building or if you make a building more energy efficient and water efficient, it's going to save your money over the long run.
According to the my research on the website, green building can reduce 72% of electricity consumption, 36% of energy use, 38% of all carbon dioxide emissions, 40% of raw material use and 14% of portable water consumption. The most efficient benefit of green building is energy and water. Fortunately, green building is no longer depending on the oil energy. Green building creates new energy such as solar energy and windy energy.
Even though, the volume of water is increasing dramatically by global warming, the valuable of water is decreasing. It means that we have to take care water for our next generation and accelerate the pace of solution as soon as possible. Since some architects has recognized the importance of water in the architecture area, they invented some natural advanced technologies.
"Green Building" has lots of benefits such as environmental benefits, economic benefits and health and community benefits. For the environmental benefits, green building can enhance the energy efficient, protect the biodiversity. Indeed, it can improves air and water quality, reduce solid waste and conserve natural resources. For the economic benefits and health, community benefits, green building can reduces operating costs(the maintenance costs), optimizes life-cycle economic performance. Moreover, it can enhances occupant comfort and health and contribute to overall quality of life.
→First Cost Concerns about the "Green buildings"
Most people concern with the first cost of construction to build green building. Compare with "first cost" and "life cycle cost", usually conventional way of buildings are spending more money to the "first cost". But if we look at the "life cycle cost" of the buildings, green buildings are more efficient. Because, if we build green buildings, the maintenance cost of house is cheaper that comparable house. As you can see on the chart(below), "Green House" can save maintenance cost. So many architect companies are working to help their clients building's performance view to the as many as 30 years into the future.
Conventional House
Green House
Difference
Month
Sticker Price
$300,000
$308,500
Mortgage Payment
$1,890
$1,945
+$55
Energy Bill
$150
$105
-$45
Water Bill
$30
$15
-$15
→Materials of the "Green buildings"
Green buildings material is very variety.But most green building are using the wood and brick. Because wood and brick can reuse in other buildings and those are environment friendly. Recently, bamboo is becoming popular to use building material. Bamboo can grow quickly and it's very healthy for human's body.
The most efficient construction material is fly ash. In the past, fly ash produced flue gases from the coal combustion. And it created environmental and health problems.
Fly ash is an inexpensive materials for the Portland cement used in concrete. Fly ash is also used in brick and block.
Fly ash is environmentally friendly.
(CC) By WIKIPEDIA, Solar system use in the roof to achieve nearly 100% energy.
→Less energy and more efficiency
The main purpose of green building is that use less energy and create the energy efficient in the buildings. To sustain building's energy efficient, architect use high-efficiency windows and insulation in walls. Another strategy is that "Passive solar buildings design" create low-energy in homes.
This strategy provides solar powers from the sun. During the daytime, the solar save the energy from the sun, and night time it works for the heating the water or cooling the inside home.
2) LEED Rating System (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
(CC) BY Davidburn, LEED PLATINUM Certification
"As of 2006, 50% of builders are focusing their attention on green building issues."National Association of Home Builders March, 2006
"Between, 40 % and 50% of the homes built in 2010 are expected to be green." National Association of Home Builders March, 2007
LEED for homes: The U.S Green Building Council(USGBC) was founded in 1993 to transform the way buildings and generate the new way of buildings environmentally. The vision is that all buildings will achieve sustainability within a generation. To achieve that vision, USGBC created the LEED rating system, which is to measure the buildings and make a grade. LEED is a voluntary building certification program. The member of LEED is architect, designer and construction manager. LEED take performance in five key areas such as site, water, energy, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.
Four levels of LEED grades are certified, silver, gold and platinum. Every grade base on the number of point achieved in each category.
LEED Rating System has total five of rating list.
Sustainable sites
Water efficiency
Energy and Atmosphere
Materials and Resources
Indoor Environmental quality
Why LEED certification is important for us?
The reason is that LEED certified buildings are leading the transformation of the built environment and built as designed and perform as expected.
And also it has lower operating costs and increased asset value and healthy, comfortable for occupants and conserve energy and water. The most reasonable reason is that demonstrate an owner's commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
→ Consider these questions while you reading my page
1. How much carbon dioxide does the transportation of concrete to build a typical 2,500 square feet house generate?
2. How much more wood can a "green"built house use in comparison to a standard built of the same size?
"Big House vs Small House" How much house can we afford?
Recently, most people want to live in the big house or huge house as having a garden house and swimming pool. Indeed, in the America we can see a lot of huge house on the street. Even though our family size is getting small by family planning, our house is getting bigger.
How can we image just 3 or 4 people live in the house, but they need 3000 square or 4000 square? I think that it is not only wasting the space for the environmental aspect but also wasting the money.
The reason is that if we want to build the big house, we need more space to build than small house. Absolutely, the big house needs more construction material such as concrete(the main causing construction material), water, brick and wood.
Also we need to more money to maintain the house for heating and cooling inside. There is an old statistics on the website. Our square feet per person has been expanding rapidly.
For example, 1950, approximately we need just 290 square feet per person, but 2003, we need 900 square feet person. It means that people need a lot of space to live in the earth.
Also in the United Stated, by 1980s America had the campaign which was the Macmansion. Starting in the 1980s, the McMansion concept was to fill a gap between the modern urban area and suburban area. But the Mcmansion used to described a large house, particularly in the United States, that is rapidly constructed using modern labor techniques.
Usually, McMansion house built over 3000 feet . The larger amount of space in a McMansion means that much of the home's volume is not used as much or as efficiently as the space in a smaller house.
→"Smaller families, Bigger houses"
Year
People per House Hold
Square foot per person
1950
3.37
297
1970
3.14
478
2000
2.62
840
→Advantages of a Big house
Dedicated office
Large kitchen
Bedroom for each child
Space between parents and children's
Room to enjoy individual interests
Modern updates and design(Because most larger houses are newer)
→Advantages of a Small house
More time spent together as a family
Lower heating and cooling costs
Less wasted space and water
Less use concrete
→ "Green" built house requires almost 50 percent more wood than a standard house of the same size. → The big house requires more fossil fuel to cool and heat inside house.
"Bigger square footage, the bigger environmental footprints."
Cement and concrete are key component of both commercial and residential construction in North America. The cement and concrete industries are huge.
There are approximately 210 cement plants in the U.S and 400 to 500 ready mix plants. The Portland Cement Association estimates that U.S cement consumption has averaged between 75 and 90 million tons per year during the last decade. What does this mean in terms of the environment? Are these products good or bad for the environment?
Concrete and other cementitious materials have both environmental advantages and disadvantages. Cement is the key ingredient in concrete products.
Cement production requires a source of calcium(usually limestone) and a source of silicon(such as clay or sand).
Concrete is produced by mixing cement with fine aggregate(sand), coarse aggregate(gravel or crushed stone), water, and often small amounts of various chemicals called admixtures that control such properties as setting time and plasticity.
Recently, something is focusing on huge environmental problem of concrete emissions. Because cement manufacturing is a source of greenhouse gas emissions. Accounting for approximately 7% to 8% of CO2 globally and and approximately 1.8% of CO2 emissions in Canada.
Fortunately, the cement industry has made significant progress in reducing CO2 emissions through improvements in process and efficiency.
Cement and concrete are vital components in building construction today. Concrete has many environmental advantages, including durability, longevity and heat storage capability. In many situations, concrete is superior to other materials such as wood and steel. But cement production is very energy intensive.
Cement is among the most energy intensive materials used in the construction industry and a major contributor to Co2 in the atmosphere. To minimize environmental impact, we should try to reduce the quanitity of concrete in buildings, use alternative types of concrete and use concrete wisely. To build a typical 2,500 square foot house, concrete generates 36 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
#. Summary and evaluation the sources Part 1 (Conventional Way).
1. Small House vs Big House
How much house do you need? Recently most people want to live in a huge house. But the huge house needs a more construction materials to build and also a huge house needs a lot of electricity power to cool in the house and heat the house.
Since our modern family system has been changed to the small, but our house's space is more expanding.
For example, while the average American family has shrunk in size, the average American home has grown. In 1974, the average American single-family home was 1,695 square feet (157 m²); in 2004 it had increased to 2,349 square feet (218 m²). The average family size, on the other hand, has fallen from 3.1 people in 1974 to 2.6 people in 2004.
2. McMansion
Starting in the 1980s, the McMansion concept was to fill a gap between the modern urban area and suburban area. But the Mcmansion used to described a large house, particularly in the United States, that is rapidly constructed using modern labor techniques.
Usually, McMansion house built over 3000 feet . The larger amount of space in a McMansion means that much of the home's volume is not used as much or as efficiently as the space in a smaller house.
3. Concrete(Construction materials)
Concrete is main construction material in the architecture area. Since our human has been invented the concrete, the concrete caused much of environmental problem in the earth. Concrete cause the CO2 emissions when mixing the cement, crushed stone, sand and water.
Also the main problem is that concrete can not recycle anymore. When the people want to rebuilt the building, we have to destroy the building and then the concrete can not recycle anymore.
I've found this information from wikipedia and also from my books. I think that concrete is no doubt amazing material for the building.
Through the using the concrete, we could be saved construction expenses and also the time.
#. Summary and evaluation the sources Part 2 (Alternative Way). 1. Green Building
I assume that "green" is most popular word in the architecture area and even in our life recently. By 1960, in the architectural area, architect had interrupted to use concrete for the earth and then they had started to focus on the "Green building". According to my #1 source, green building has defined as a reducing building impacts on human health and the environment during the building lifestyle. Also green building is a similar to the natural building. Natural building is to focus on the small house by using the natural materials and local components.
However, in general green building has more category than natural building. For example, green building is not only covering the construction material but also the maintain building.
→ This website has a lot of information about the Green building such as the definition of the green building and describes the some countries of the acting for the green building. This website was last updated on Nov 4. 2009. Also this website has specific statistics about the green buildings. So I can trust this website and this website would be best for my topic.
2. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED stand for "The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design". According to the #2 source, Green Building Rating System developed by the U.S Green Building Council. LEED is doing a lot of jobs in the architectural area. The rating system have six major area to check for the green building.
→This website describes chronologically about the LEED organization. This website has some specific information about the how the LEED system working on the Green buildings. So I think this website is very helpful for my topic. This website was last updated on Oct 30. 2009.
#. Summary and evaluation the sources Part 3 (Best Way)
1. California Green Builder
California Green Builder program is working on Green Building in California. It saves annually a lot of energy and use less water and trees. California Green Builder program has five key components for green building. Energy, water, wood, indoor air quality and construction water diversion(reuse material).
→I think this website is published by California government. This website has a lot of information and statistic for the green building. Indeed, this website linked some of useful website. So I think this website could be best for my part #3. But unfortunately, this website doesn't have any information about the update time or date.
2. Climate Change in Hawaii
In Hawaii, there is some of evidence for the climate change which is already happened in Hawaii. For example, sea level rise, increasing temperature and impact on agriculture and economy. Also I would be impacted on architecture rapidly.
→This website has some of information about climate change in Hawaii. This website was published by Columbia university of "The Earth Institute". So I think this website is very trustful and useful. However, there is no information about the update time or date.
8. Eco- Architecture is good for businesses (Non internet source) ECO ARCHITECTURE(It's a book from Lama library.) by Christina Fisanick, p33~39 2008 years(Date of publication), Miami(Place of publication) Dec 09, 2009
9. Wall Street Journal Newspaper Article( In search of Net Zero) by Ms. Simon Dec. 07 2009, Honolulu Dec 09, 2009
|| || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || Architecture
John( Jong Ha Jung)
Part 3. Best Way of Architecture
1) Climate Change in Hawaii.
In honolulu, the average of temperature has increased 4.4°F over the last century and also precipitation has decreased 20% over the last 90 years.
In honolulu, sea level already is rising about 6~14 inches per century. Also It will rise more about 17~25 inches by 2100 years.
Hawaii island contains the most beautiful beaches in the world. Hawaii sand beaches has some rich coral reefs so that it protective from the erosion. However, since the ocean is getting warmer, Hawaii government has to spend money about $240 million to $6 billion for protecting coral reefs and sea level rise.
Hawaii has 25% of U.S endangered species including 2 mammals and 30 valuable birds.
According to the my research on the website and books, Hawaii already has happened climate change in some areas. Indeed, it will be become more complex problem. The root of problem for the climate change is that overpopulation and sustainable economic development. In the beginning of 1900's, Hawaii had became one of the state in the U.S. After that Hawaii had to establish the new program and new government. Since then, the state of Hawaii adapted the new immigrant from the Asian countries and South America. Recently, Hawaii has ranked 42nd population in the America.
As we may know, tourism is most fundamental industry in the Hawaii. Also it has affected a significant consequences in the environment. For example, the middle of 1900's, there was only a few tallest building in the Hawaii. But Hawaii needs more highest building for demanding of tourists and reflecting of one of the world famous city by built a tallest building. To build a new building, people had to cut down the trees or burning for making of basement building area.
2) Making connection between Architecture, Economy and Environment
The Hawaiian economy should be more diversified than now. Lack of diversity is the single greatest weakness in Hawaii economy. Hawaii main income is coming from only 3 industries military, agriculture and tourism. The Hawaii's future economy will be almost exclusively exporting skills and know-how to Pacific and world market. Indeed, a number of things including more diverse agricultural products, jewelry making, increased fishing and sport fishing.
Hawaiian people mostly concerns about the lack of knowledge on environment. Many of those unique species will become extinct and many of Hawaii's natural resources are facing extinction too. Global environmental change may result in an increased in the value of Hawaii's environmental resources.
As you can read on my possible resources list, "The Bilbao Effect" is one of the great example for the connection between Architecture, Economy and Environment. The reason is that one great building can create plenty of benefit for the resident people and nation. For example, the city of Bilbao in Northern Spain was small industry city before. However, since Guggenheim museum completed
Hawaii government should learn from "The Bilbao Effect". Because, through the one great building, Hawaii will be attained sustainable economic development, going to environmental friendly and finally one permanent tourist attraction in the world. As we may know, tourism is essential industry in the Hawaii, we have to think about creating the new attraction. I think that Hawaiian people could not survived by only one beautiful beach in the world which is Waikiki beach. Hawaii government should consider that creating the new attraction for the hidden tourists in the world.
Source used.
1. Global Temperatures. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Instrumental_Temperature_Record.png Dec.06.2009
2. Recent Sea Level Rise http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Recent_Sea_Level_Rise.png Dec.06.2009
3. The Diagram between Architecture, Economy and Environment Dec.06.2009
4. Guggenheim museum http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Guggenheim-bilbao-jan05.jpg Dec, 06. 2009
Part 2. Alternative Way of Architecture.
1) Green Building.
By 1960, in the architect urban area, architect had stopped to use concrete temporary. Because of, they recognized that buildings are the leader of destroyer of the environment. In respond to growing awareness of the building environment's effect on the natural environment, architects and construct engineers are increasingly looking for an alternative method of design and construction. It's called "Green Building". The meaning of green building is creating structure that are more efficient in their consumption of energy, water and less wasteful. Green building use an average of 36 percent less energy than conventional buildings. Green buildings dramatically increase health and productivity. Therefore, people in green building have 40~60 percent fewer incidents of colds, flu, and asthma. Also, according to the one green architecture study, kids in green schools increase the test scores by as much as 18 percent.
If you just look at green building or if you make a building more energy efficient and water efficient, it's going to save your money over the long run.
According to the my research on the website, green building can reduce 72% of electricity consumption, 36% of energy use, 38% of all carbon dioxide emissions, 40% of raw material use and 14% of portable water consumption. The most efficient benefit of green building is energy and water. Fortunately, green building is no longer depending on the oil energy. Green building creates new energy such as solar energy and windy energy.
Even though, the volume of water is increasing dramatically by global warming, the valuable of water is decreasing. It means that we have to take care water for our next generation and accelerate the pace of solution as soon as possible. Since some architects has recognized the importance of water in the architecture area, they invented some natural advanced technologies.
"Green Building" has lots of benefits such as environmental benefits, economic benefits and health and community benefits. For the environmental benefits, green building can enhance the energy efficient, protect the biodiversity. Indeed, it can improves air and water quality, reduce solid waste and conserve natural resources. For the economic benefits and health, community benefits, green building can reduces operating costs(the maintenance costs), optimizes life-cycle economic performance. Moreover, it can enhances occupant comfort and health and contribute to overall quality of life.
→First Cost Concerns about the "Green buildings"
Most people concern with the first cost of construction to build green building. Compare with "first cost" and "life cycle cost", usually conventional way of buildings are spending more money to the "first cost". But if we look at the "life cycle cost" of the buildings, green buildings are more efficient. Because, if we build green buildings, the maintenance cost of house is cheaper that comparable house. As you can see on the chart(below), "Green House" can save maintenance cost. So many architect companies are working to help their clients building's performance view to the as many as 30 years into the future.→Materials of the "Green buildings"
Green buildings material is very variety.But most green building are using the wood and brick. Because wood and brick can reuse in other buildings and those are environment friendly. Recently, bamboo is becoming popular to use building material. Bamboo can grow quickly and it's very healthy for human's body.The most efficient construction material is fly ash. In the past, fly ash produced flue gases from the coal combustion. And it created environmental and health problems.
Fly ash is an inexpensive materials for the Portland cement used in concrete. Fly ash is also used in brick and block.
Fly ash is environmentally friendly.
→Less energy and more efficiency
The main purpose of green building is that use less energy and create the energy efficient in the buildings. To sustain building's energy efficient, architect use high-efficiency windows and insulation in walls. Another strategy is that "Passive solar buildings design" create low-energy in homes.This strategy provides solar powers from the sun. During the daytime, the solar save the energy from the sun, and night time it works for the heating the water or cooling the inside home.
2) LEED Rating System (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
(CC) BY Davidburn, LEED PLATINUM Certification
LEED for homes: The U.S Green Building Council(USGBC) was founded in 1993 to transform the way buildings and generate the new way of buildings environmentally. The vision is that all buildings will achieve sustainability within a generation. To achieve that vision, USGBC created the LEED rating system, which is to measure the buildings and make a grade. LEED is a voluntary building certification program. The member of LEED is architect, designer and construction manager. LEED take performance in five key areas such as site, water, energy, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.
Four levels of LEED grades are certified, silver, gold and platinum. Every grade base on the number of point achieved in each category.
LEED Rating System has total five of rating list.
Why LEED certification is important for us?
The reason is that LEED certified buildings are leading the transformation of the built environment and built as designed and perform as expected.
And also it has lower operating costs and increased asset value and healthy, comfortable for occupants and conserve energy and water. The most reasonable reason is that demonstrate an owner's commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
Source used.
1. Green buildings.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Solar_Umbrella001.jpg Nov 4, 2009
2. Green buildings.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Laundromat-SolarCell.png Nov 4, 2009
3, Fly ash http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704746304574506030258504644.html Nov 5, 2009
4. LEED PLATINUM Certification http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidburn/2562422785/ Nov 12, 2009
Part 1. Conventional Way of Architecture
→ Consider these questions while you reading my page
1. How much carbon dioxide does the transportation of concrete to build a typical 2,500 square feet house generate?2. How much more wood can a "green"built house use in comparison to a standard built of the same size?
"Big House vs Small House" How much house can we afford?
Recently, most people want to live in the big house or huge house as having a garden house and swimming pool. Indeed, in the America we can see a lot of huge house on the street. Even though our family size is getting small by family planning, our house is getting bigger.
How can we image just 3 or 4 people live in the house, but they need 3000 square or 4000 square? I think that it is not only wasting the space for the environmental aspect but also wasting the money.
The reason is that if we want to build the big house, we need more space to build than small house. Absolutely, the big house needs more construction material such as concrete(the main causing construction material), water, brick and wood.
Also we need to more money to maintain the house for heating and cooling inside. There is an old statistics on the website. Our square feet per person has been expanding rapidly.
For example, 1950, approximately we need just 290 square feet per person, but 2003, we need 900 square feet person. It means that people need a lot of space to live in the earth.
Also in the United Stated, by 1980s America had the campaign which was the Macmansion. Starting in the 1980s, the McMansion concept was to fill a gap between the modern urban area and suburban area. But the Mcmansion used to described a large house, particularly in the United States, that is rapidly constructed using modern labor techniques.
Usually, McMansion house built over 3000 feet . The larger amount of space in a McMansion means that much of the home's volume is not used as much or as efficiently as the space in a smaller house.
→"Smaller families, Bigger houses"
→Advantages of a Small house
→ "Green" built house requires almost 50 percent more wood than a standard house of the same size.
→ The big house requires more fossil fuel to cool and heat inside house.
"Bigger square footage, the bigger environmental footprints."
Cement and concrete are key component of both commercial and residential construction in North America. The cement and concrete industries are huge.
There are approximately 210 cement plants in the U.S and 400 to 500 ready mix plants. The Portland Cement Association estimates that U.S cement consumption has averaged between 75 and 90 million tons per year during the last decade.
What does this mean in terms of the environment? Are these products good or bad for the environment?
Concrete and other cementitious materials have both environmental advantages and disadvantages. Cement is the key ingredient in concrete products.
Cement production requires a source of calcium(usually limestone) and a source of silicon(such as clay or sand).
Concrete is produced by mixing cement with fine aggregate(sand), coarse aggregate(gravel or crushed stone), water, and often small amounts of various chemicals called admixtures that control such properties as setting time and plasticity.
Recently, something is focusing on huge environmental problem of concrete emissions. Because cement manufacturing is a source of greenhouse gas emissions. Accounting for approximately 7% to 8% of CO2 globally and and approximately 1.8% of CO2 emissions in Canada.
Fortunately, the cement industry has made significant progress in reducing CO2 emissions through improvements in process and efficiency.
Cement and concrete are vital components in building construction today. Concrete has many environmental advantages, including durability, longevity and heat storage capability. In many situations, concrete is superior to other materials such as wood and steel. But cement production is very energy intensive.
Cement is among the most energy intensive materials used in the construction industry and a major contributor to Co2 in the atmosphere.
To minimize environmental impact, we should try to reduce the quanitity of concrete in buildings, use alternative types of concrete and use concrete wisely.
To build a typical 2,500 square foot house, concrete generates 36 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Source used.
1. Concrete (the material of a construction) //http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete#Environmental_Concerns//
2. Construction. /http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_construction//
3. Youtube www.youtube.com/v/y5gdXw5SPXE4. MacMansion under the construction http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mcmansion_under_construction.jpg
#. Summary and evaluation the sources Part 1 (Conventional Way).
1. Small House vs Big House
How much house do you need? Recently most people want to live in a huge house. But the huge house needs a more construction materials to build and also a huge house needs a lot of electricity power to cool in the house and heat the house.Since our modern family system has been changed to the small, but our house's space is more expanding.
For example, while the average American family has shrunk in size, the average American home has grown. In 1974, the average American single-family home was 1,695 square feet (157 m²); in 2004 it had increased to 2,349 square feet (218 m²). The average family size, on the other hand, has fallen from 3.1 people in 1974 to 2.6 people in 2004.
2. McMansion
Starting in the 1980s, the McMansion concept was to fill a gap between the modern urban area and suburban area. But the Mcmansion used to described a large house, particularly in the United States, that is rapidly constructed using modern labor techniques.Usually, McMansion house built over 3000 feet . The larger amount of space in a McMansion means that much of the home's volume is not used as much or as efficiently as the space in a smaller house.
3. Concrete(Construction materials)
Concrete is main construction material in the architecture area. Since our human has been invented the concrete, the concrete caused much of environmental problem in the earth. Concrete cause the CO2 emissions when mixing the cement, crushed stone, sand and water.Also the main problem is that concrete can not recycle anymore. When the people want to rebuilt the building, we have to destroy the building and then the concrete can not recycle anymore.
I've found this information from wikipedia and also from my books. I think that concrete is no doubt amazing material for the building.
Through the using the concrete, we could be saved construction expenses and also the time.
#. Summary and evaluation the sources Part 2 (Alternative Way). 1. Green Building
I assume that "green" is most popular word in the architecture area and even in our life recently. By 1960, in the architectural area, architect had interrupted to use concrete for the earth and then they had started to focus on the "Green building". According to my #1 source, green building has defined as a reducing building impacts on human health and the environment during the building lifestyle. Also green building is a similar to the natural building. Natural building is to focus on the small house by using the natural materials and local components.However, in general green building has more category than natural building. For example, green building is not only covering the construction material but also the maintain building.
→ This website has a lot of information about the Green building such as the definition of the green building and describes the some countries of the acting for the green building. This website was last updated on Nov 4. 2009. Also this website has specific statistics about the green buildings. So I can trust this website and this website would be best for my topic.
2. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
LEED stand for "The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design". According to the #2 source, Green Building Rating System developed by the U.S Green Building Council. LEED is doing a lot of jobs in the architectural area. The rating system have six major area to check for the green building.
→This website describes chronologically about the LEED organization. This website has some specific information about the how the LEED system working on the Green buildings. So I think this website is very helpful for my topic. This website was last updated on Oct 30. 2009.
#. Summary and evaluation the sources Part 3 (Best Way)
1. California Green BuilderCalifornia Green Builder program is working on Green Building in California. It saves annually a lot of energy and use less water and trees. California Green Builder program has five key components for green building. Energy, water, wood, indoor air quality and construction water diversion(reuse material).
→I think this website is published by California government. This website has a lot of information and statistic for the green building. Indeed, this website linked some of useful website. So I think this website could be best for my part #3. But unfortunately, this website doesn't have any information about the update time or date.
2. Climate Change in Hawaii
In Hawaii, there is some of evidence for the climate change which is already happened in Hawaii. For example, sea level rise, increasing temperature and impact on agriculture and economy. Also I would be impacted on architecture rapidly.
→This website has some of information about climate change in Hawaii. This website was published by Columbia university of "The Earth Institute". So I think this website is very trustful and useful. However, there is no information about the update time or date.
#. Possible sources Part 1 (Conventional Way).
1. Archnet. How do culture and environment affect architecture? //www.archnet.org/forum/view.jsp?message_id=184135// September 8, 20092.Concrete (the material of a construction) //http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete#Environmental_Concerns// September 22, 2009
3. Concrete recycling. //http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete_recycling// September 22, 2009
4. Plaster board. //http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaster_board// September 22, 2009
5. Styrofoam. //http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrofoam// September 22, 2009
6, Construction. //http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_construction// September 22, 2009 7. Small house vs Big house (Actually this website has an accurate information about the green building.) http://www.boygreen.com/2009/02/mcmansions-vs-small-functional-house-plans/ October 6, 2009
7. About the a Mcmansions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McMansion October 6, 2009
8. Big house vs Small house http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadership_in_Energy_and_Environmental_Design October 22, 2009
#. Possible sources Part 2 (Alternative Way).
1. Green Building http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_building October 22, 2009
2. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadership_in_Energy_and_Environmental_Design October 22, 2009
3. Small House Society http://www.resourcesforlife.com/small-house-society October 22, 2009
4. Sitting Pretty http://sittingprettyfinancially.blogspot.com/2007/01/small-house-movement-vs-big-bad-houses.html October 25, 2009
5. ECO ARCHITECTURE(It's a book from Lama library.) by Christina Fisanick, p147~154, 2008 years(Date of publication), Miami(Place of publication)
6. Mi2g http://www.mi2g.com/cgi/mi2g/frameset.php?pageid=http%3A//www.mi2g.com/cgi/mi2g/press/240809.php October 25,2009
7. Design intelligence http://www.di.net/ October 27, 2009
#. Possible sources Part 3 (Best Way).
1. Climate in Architecture(The connection between climate change and Architecture) http://www.caroun.com/Research/Architecture/Climate.html Nov 17, 2009
2. The Bilbao effect(The connection between economy and Architecture) http://www.newcolonist.com/bilbao.html Nov 17, 2009
3. Reforestation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reforestation Nov 17, 2009
4. California Green Builder http://www.cagreenbuilder.org/index.html Dec 1, 2009
5. Buildings that can breathe http://www.newsweek.com/id/151732 Nov 28, 2009
6. Solar Power http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power Nov 28, 2009
7. Climate Change in Hawaii http://www.nextgenerationearth.org/contents/view/19 Nov 30, 2009
8. Eco- Architecture is good for businesses (Non internet source) ECO ARCHITECTURE(It's a book from Lama library.) by Christina Fisanick, p33~39 2008 years(Date of publication), Miami(Place of publication) Dec 09, 2009
9. Wall Street Journal Newspaper Article( In search of Net Zero) by Ms. Simon Dec. 07 2009, Honolulu Dec 09, 2009